Oklahoma State out to reverse program's fade

Travis Ford is counting on a pair of McDonald's All-Americans to lead his Oklahoma State program back out of the bottom half of the Big 12.

The Associated Press

Travis Ford is counting on a pair of McDonald's All-Americans to lead his Oklahoma State program back out of the bottom half of the Big 12.

Freshman point guard Marcus Smart will join second-year forward Le'Bryan Nash this season, trying to reverse a consistent fade by the Cowboys over the past few seasons.

Oklahoma State went the second round of the NCAA tournament in Ford's first season as coach, then got knocked off in the first round the following year. Then came the real dip, a quick exit in the NIT followed by last season's 15-18 finish with no postseason appearance.